Punting on the River Cherwell, Oxford

I had a unique experience of punting once when a friend of mine in Oxford invited me to do punting on the Cherwell River in Oxford. I had never done this before.

Trying my hand at punting on the Cherwell River, Oxford

A punt is a flat bottomed boat with a square bow and punting is boating in a punt by use of a long pole to push against the river bed to push the boat. 

Now Cherwell is an ideal river for punting, rowing and canoeing as the water current is slow and there are no power boats. River Cherwell is a tributary of Thames and meets Thames at Oxford.

Getting stuck due to inexperience!

It may seem easy to punt but in reality it is very difficult to steer and keep it in the right direction if you are not experienced and may very well take your punt into very shallow area or the bushes. Also though going downstream is easy but taking the punt upstream needs lot of strength.

Victoria Arms, a pub on the Cherwell is popular halting point

About 30 minutes upstream of the Cherwell boat House is the Victoria Arms, a pub where punters stop by to relax and have a beer or other refreshments. Oxford being a student-centric town punting is a fun activity for the students and I saw several punts in which people were having fun and taking alcoholic beverages.

Punting and having a good time!

The Cherwell Boathouse has over 70 handcrafted punts that were made here itself. Rowing boats and canoes are also an option. One can hire a punt for about 12 to 14 pounds per hour. Each punt can accommodate a maximum of six persons.

The Punts at the Cherwell Boarthouse, Oxford

It was a real good experience of punting in the picturesque locale of Oxford as on both sides of the river you see green stretches and there are ducks floating on the river!

Wagon and Horses

I have visited Wagon and Horses several times and found their non-vegetarian menu superb. This restaurant and pub is in Abingdon near Oxford. Abingdon is a market town located on the Thames and is among the oldest towns  not only in the Oxfordshire but in the whole of Britain. I was taken there first by a friend who teaches in Oxford Brookes.

Inside decor of Wagon and Horses

The decor is excellent and the staff polite and the service excellent. The place also has excellent pub with all kinds of local beers giving a run for their money to the international brands.


I found that the restaurant had a large menu and the best is to go for the buffet menu which (at that time) used to be only under 10 GBP. The menu is a mix of British as well as Oriental.

A wide menu at the Wagon and Horses

Red Duck,  Beef, various kinds of chicken like garlic, chili; Pork Ginger; starters like Butterfly Chicken, Red Chicken, Barbecue Rib were the best.

Best Food 

My friend told me that Abingdon used to be on the trade route and lots of wagons used to pass this area which had to pay a tax as well. The restaurant probably took its name from there.

A friend inside Wagon and Horses

The venue has become so popular among the locals that it is advisable to book in advance especially on weekends otherwise you may not find a place to sit.